The Getting Ahead Suite of Programs in Howard County offers a comprehensive approach to help individuals in poverty attain resources and achieve sustainable well-being for their families and communities. These programs include:
- Getting Ahead in a Just-Getting’ -by World: A 45-hour workshop for individuals aged 18 and up, is designed to help participants examine the effects of poverty on their personal resources and develop strategies for improvement.
- R-Rules: A program tailored specifically for middle and high school students.
- Getting Ahead While Getting Out: A specialized program for citizens re-entering society from detention centers.
- Staying Ahead: A companion program that provides additional resources and support to Getting Ahead graduates, helping them maintain momentum towards self-sufficiency.
These programs aim to empower participants by providing them with the tools, knowledge, and support needed to understand the root causes of poverty and take action towards building a more prosperous future. The initiatives focus on a family-centered approach and collaborate with community partners to connect participants with essential social and human services.
Programs & Resources
The mission of "Getting Ahead in a Just Getting By World" is to empower individuals and families living in poverty by providing them with the tools, knowledge, and support needed to build resources and achieve sustainable futures. This program focuses on helping participants understand the causes of poverty and develop strategies to overcome it at individual, institutional, and community levels.
Key Components of the Mission:
- Empowerment through Education: Participants engage in structured workshops (often 11 to 17 weeks) where they learn about financial literacy, goal setting, and community resource navigation.
- Resource Building: Participants develop personalized plans to increase income, decrease debt, and enhance self-sufficiency.
- Community Engagement: The program encourages participants to engage with their community, fostering systemic change and collaboration to address poverty.
- Support Network: Emphasis is placed on building strong relationships with peers and mentors, providing ongoing support and encouragement.
Overall, the mission is to equip individuals with the means to move from instability to self-sufficiency, contributing positively to their families and communities.
The mission of the R Rules program is to empower students, particularly those from at-risk backgrounds, by providing them with the tools and resources needed to build a successful future. The program aims to:
- Encourage students to see new options and possibilities for their lives.
- Help students inventory their personal resources and develop future stories.
- Assist students in planning and exploring career pathways.
- Equip students with practical and applicable information to support their success.
- Provide hope and a chance for success to "at-risk" students.
The R Rules program is designed to be engaging and goal-oriented, focusing on helping students recognize and use patterns to predict outcomes, problem-solve, and plan effectively. It also aims to identify strategies and resources that build resilience, ultimately empowering students to take control of their futures.
The mission of the Getting Ahead While Getting Out (GAWGO) program is to reduce recidivism among inmates and support their successful reentry into society. This program aims to:
- Help incarcerated individuals build resources for a more prosperous life upon release.
- Provide participants with tools to learn, build resources, and develop accountability.
- Assist inmates in creating concrete action plans for their future.
- Equip participants with key resources to obtain and maintain self-sufficiency after release.
- Offer a supportive environment that encourages personal growth and development.
The GAWGO program is designed to empower inmates by helping them examine the effects of poverty on their personal resources and develop strategies for improvement. It focuses on preparing participants for successful reintegration into their communities, reducing the likelihood of reoffending, and promoting long-term stability and prosperity.
The mission of the Staying Ahead program is to support graduates of the Getting Ahead initiative by providing additional resources and tools to maintain momentum towards self-sufficiency. The program aims to:
- Assist in Developing Action Plans: Help participants create concrete plans to achieve their goals.
- Offer Key Resources: Provide essential resources to maintain self-sufficiency.
- Provide Educational Workshops: Offer educational workshops and online resources to keep participants motivated.
- Host Community Events: Organize community job fairs, networking opportunities, and recognition events.
- Foster Mentorship: Provide opportunities for graduates to become mentors, strengthening the community.
- Create a Supportive Environment: Offer a safe environment of encouragement, mentorship, and trust.
The overall goal is to encourage self-sufficiency and continue the momentum of sustainability, helping participants achieve long-term success and independence.
These partner organizations are host sites for the Getting Ahead Program:
- Howard County Department of Community Resources and Services
- Hope Works of Howard County
- Howard County Department of Housing
- Howard County Department of Corrections
- Howard County Public School System
- Howard Community College
- Howard County Office of Workforce Development
- Community Action Council of Howard County
Lee Jones
Program Specialist
Getting Ahead Suite of Programs
Office of the Local Children’s Board
Department of Community Resources and Services
Howard County Government
The Multi-Service Center
9900 Washington BLVD
North Laurel MD 20723
(o) 410-313-0243
email lejones@howardcountymd.gov